Waianae advances over Castle in OIA Division I softball playoffs with 5-3 win in the first round

Waianae advances over Castle in OIA Division I softball playoffs with 5-3 win in the first round

Apr 25, 2024

Waianae advances over Castle in OIA Division I softball playoffs with 5-3 win

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED APRIL 25, 2024

KANEOHE — Teizsha Kaopuiki had herself a day.

The Waianae senior hit two solo home runs and scored three times in the leadoff spot to power the Seariders over host Castle, 5-3, in the opening round of the OIA Division I softball playoffs Wednesday afternoon.

Waianae (5-8) advances to play Mililani in the quarterfinals Thursday at Central Oahu Regional Park. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

Savanna Casuga earned the win in the circle for the Seariders with a complete game effort. She walked 10 batters, but struck out five and allowed just one hit.

Kailene Berinobis led the Knights (7-6) in their season-ending loss with a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning that brought Castle within one run before Kaopuiki’s second home run in the top of the seventh.

Hawaii is king of the Big West once again

by | Apr 27, 2025

Hawaii is king of the Big West once again BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRNPUBLISHED APRIL 27, 2025MANOA — Championship secured. The Hawai’i men’s volleyball team bested top-seeded Long Beach State in four sets to claim the program’s fourth Big West...

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Q&A with new Waianae head football coach Vince Nihipali

Q&A with new Waianae head football coach Vince Nihipali

Apr 21, 2024

Q&A with new Waianae head football coach Vince Nihipali

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED APRIL 21, 2024

The new head football coach at Waianae has roots in the community with the hiring of Vince Nihipali, who was hired in early April.

Nihipali played pop-warner football for the Waianae Tigers before going on to star for the Kamehameha-Kapalama football team. He grew up watching the Seariders win nine OIA titles under Larry Ginoza, with the last championship coming in 1982.

Nihipali has an extensive coaching resume of over 25 years with his last coaching job being at Moanalua when Na Menehune reached the OIA Division I title game in 2021. Other stops include being an assistant at Mililani, Campbell, Kapolei, Kaimuki and at Western Oregon University.

Waianae went 1-8 last season in the Open Division, but will compete in Division I in 2024.

HSRN had a chance to catch up with Nihipali a few weeks after the school announced the hire.

Congratulations on being named the head coach at Waianae! What was the feeling and emotions like when you got the news?

“Getting the head coach position at my hometown high school that I idolized the head coach growing up was indeed a special feeling. I don’t think I missed a Waianae game from maybe 1980 till I ended up playing at Kamehameha my junior year in high school. It’s been surreal, really.

Does it feel a little special being back home in the community that you grew up in?

“Most definitely! The support (from) the people and the families that I grew up with has been amazing. Waianae is special, everything about the community is special.”

You have a pretty expansive coaching resume. What are some of the lessons that you take with you in some of those stops?

“Bringing in a staff that buys into the vision, are great with kids, are knowledgeable and have your back. You can trust (them) and (they) trust you (back).”

Who are some of your coaching mentors and inspiration?

“Two that I have worked with directly recently these past couple years (are) Amosa Amosa and Rod York. Both have taught me so much, I couldn’t thank them enough for what they have done. So much respect for those two.”

How would you describe your coaching style?

“Passionate, competitive, developmental and caring.”

Waianae has had a bit of a rough time in the Open Division, but now are in Division I. Is this the right tier for the Seariders or is the end goal to get back to the highest division?

“It’s the division we are in, so that’s what we will play. The end goal, just like at Moanalua, is to get back into the Open Division and be competitive there. First we have to take care of business where we are at, so we are just gonna get better daily and be the best we can be.”

What were some of the positives that you saw from the Seariders last season watching from afar?

“It was a young team with some very talented players on both varsity and JV. As always, they always play hard and with a lot of heart.”

What are the things that you want to improve on?

“Just to get better in everything we do. From showing up in the offseason, to the classroom, to the field, everyday improve.”

Who are some of the players that we should watch out for next season?

“There are a bunch actually. Running back Alika Idica is as explosive a back there will be in Division I. We have two talented returning quarterbacks in Maximus Kahalewai-Sapigao and George Mier, some great returning O-line kids, playmaking receivers and an entire back eight returning on defense. There is so much talent here, it would be hard to name them all, but I am very excited to be working with them and watching them succeed.”

Waianae has preseason/non-league games scheduled against Kapolei and Waipahu before the regular season opener on the first weekend of September. An early draft of the OIA schedule has Pearl City slated to be the Seariders first opponent in league play.

Hawaii is king of the Big West once again

by | Apr 27, 2025

Hawaii is king of the Big West once again BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRNPUBLISHED APRIL 27, 2025MANOA — Championship secured. The Hawai’i men’s volleyball team bested top-seeded Long Beach State in four sets to claim the program’s fourth Big West...

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Rainbow Warriors wins series opener against Cal Poly in walk-off fashion, 4-3

Rainbow Warriors wins series opener against Cal Poly in walk-off fashion, 4-3

Apr 20, 2024

Rainbow Warriors wins series opener against Cal Poly in walk-off fashion, 4-3

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED APRIL 20, 2024

HONOLULU — Friday night thriller at the Les.

Hawai’i won its series opener against Cal Poly in walk-off fashion, 4-3 on Austin Machado’s sac fly to score Naighel Ali’i Calderon at the Les Murakami Stadium.

It was a much-needed win for the Rainbow Warriors (21-14 overall, 5-8 Big West), who was swept by UC Santa Barbara in their last conference seasons. The home team also got it done against one of the top teams in the Big West in the Mustangs (21-15, 11-5).

Machado played the hero late and was 3-for-4 at the plate, but it was a total team effort that secured the win.

Matthew Miura gave Hawai’i the early lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the first before Cal Poly scored three in the top of the fourth. Elijah Ickes tied it right back in the bottom of the frame with a double that drove in two runs.

The score would remain at 3-3 for the next four innings before Calderon came up with a single through the right side to start the bottom of the ninth. Calderon then showed off his speed on the base bats when he beat the throw after a Jordan Donahue bunt. After a wild pitch advanced both runners, Dallas Duarte drew an intentional walk to load the bases with no outs for Machado.

Danny Veloz (5-1) earned the pitching win on the mound after taking over in the top of the ninth. Starter Harrison Bodendorf scattered three hits across five outs before giving way to Alex Giroux, who threw two strikeouts in 1 and 1/3 innings of work. Sebastian Gonzalez spent the longest time on the mound with five innings pitched.

“What a great night for the fans here at the Les,” said Hawai’i coach Rich Hill. “Just felt like a game seven. We’re making early pitching changes, Gonzalez again was spectacular, Danny Veloz in the ninth was great. Naighel Calderon to me is the story of the game. That’s a leadoff hit that put the pressure on their defense. We just came through at the right time.”

Hawaii is king of the Big West once again

by | Apr 27, 2025

Hawaii is king of the Big West once again BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRNPUBLISHED APRIL 27, 2025MANOA — Championship secured. The Hawai’i men’s volleyball team bested top-seeded Long Beach State in four sets to claim the program’s fourth Big West...

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Hawai’i Men’s Volleyball team trading card packs now available for purchase

Hawai’i Men’s Volleyball team trading card packs now available for purchase

Apr 18, 2024

HAwai’i Men’s Volleyball Team Trading Card Packs now available for purchase

BY HSRN STAFF
PUBLISHED APRIL 18, 2024

Move aside HOLO card, there’s a new must-have card in the state.

Make that cards, plural.

Trading cards featuring members of the University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team are now on sale, per a press release put out by The Brandr Group Friday.

The press release said that the University of Hawai’i has partnered with ONIT, a leader in the name, image and likeness (NIL) trading card space, to launch an initiative where 4,500 packs of trading cards are available for purchase at the university’s campus bookstore (in-store or online), the H-Zone at the Simplifi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center and 19 participating Hawaii Texaco stations, which are operated by Island Energy Services.

 

Each pack of 14 cards contains a variety of designs featuring current players of the 2024 University of Hawai’i Men’s Volleyball team. Fans can also be on the lookout for autographed cards randomly inserted into various packs.

With the help of The Brandr Group, this marks ONIT’s first partnership with a collegiate men’s volleyball team. Members of the team will make appearances at the stores following the season to engage with fans and support the trading card program, the press release said.

The press release also said that participating student-athletes will promote the launch of the cards through their various social media platforms and team members will have autographed select cards inserted into various of the packs available for purchase.

“We really appreciate The Brandr Group facilitating innovative, inclusive and engaging student-athlete NIL opportunities such as this multifaceted program with ONIT and Island Energy,” said Craig Angelos, the Director of Athletics at the University of Hawaii.

“This campaign is a win-win and is true to the original spirit of NIL, allowing participating student-athletes a unique opportunity to profit from their NIL by bringing multiple brand partners to the table.”

Team members will be compensated based on a competitive revenue share per pack as well as for the including of their autographed cards and social media content while also getting compensated by Island Energy Services for making appearances at its proprietary convenience store concept —called AMA — to give the athletes multiple financial streams from one singular campaign, the press release said.

“The University of Hawaii has full embraced how a robust NIL campaign can maximize opportunities for its student-athletes, while creating authentic programs that are the right fits for local brands on the islands,” said Rick Perko, Vice President of Program Development at the Brandr Group.

“Working closely together, ONIT, Island Energy and The Brandr Group are creating innovative ways to engage student-athletes in meaningful campaigns that make a notable difference for all involved.”

Participating Texaco Stations include:

Oahu

Kailua Texaco (710 Kailua Road)

Kapolei Texaco (91-565 Farrington Highway)

Kamokila Texaco (484 Kamokila Blvd.)

Aikahi Park Texaco (25 Kaneohe Bay Drive)

Moanalua Texaco (986 Valkenburgh St.)

Mililani Texaco (95-130 Kamehameha Highway)

Stadium Texaco (4561 Salt Lake Blvd)

Kapiolani Texaco (2969 S. Beretania Street)

Waiakamilo Texaco (909 Waiakamilo Road)

Kalihi Stream Texaco (2160 N King Street)

School Street Texaco (140 S School St.)

Mapunapuna Texaco (1055 Ahua Street)

Middle Street Texaco (1305 Middle Street)

Keolu Texaco (1070 Keolu Drive)

Maui

Uptown Texaco (2085 Main Street)

Hawaii Island

Waiakea Texaco (321 Maka’ala Street)

Hawai’i sweeps Senior Day doubleheader over UC San Diego

May 4, 2025

HAWAI'I SWEEPS SENIOR DAY DOUBLEHEADER OVER UC SAN DIEGO BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULUPUBLISHED MAY 4, 2025HONOLULU – Despite the distractions, Senior Weekend ended up a smashing success. The University of Hawai’i softball team swept Saturday’s twin...

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Hawai’i fends off Chaminade in midweek non-conference tilt, 2-0

Hawai’i fends off Chaminade in midweek non-conference tilt, 2-0

Apr 17, 2024

Hawai’i fends off Chaminade in midweek non-conference tilt, 2-0

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED APRIL 17, 2024

HONOLULU — Win No. 20 of the year for the Hawai’i baseball team would come in a 2-0 outing against Chaminade in a non-conference matchup Tuesday night at the Les Murakami Stadium.

Ten different pitchers combined for a two-hit shutout for the Rainbow Warriors (20-14) with Brayden Marx earning his first win of the season and Danny Veloz nothing his first save of the year after picking up the final two outs.

The Silverswords’ pitching was also superb as starter Mac Elske retired the entire Hawai’i lineup one time through before giving way to Max Patterson (4-5). Sebastian Castro was also solid as well in 2 and 1/3 innings pitched, facing the minimum seven batters.

Hawai’i would finally break through in the fourth inning when Jake Tsukada and Austin Machado notched back-to-back hits before Kyson Donahue’s two-strike sac fly brought Tsukada home. 

The final run of the game came in the fifth when Elijah Ickes’ had a two-out knock to drive in Ben Ziegler-Namoa, who reached on a walk to leadoff the half-inning.

Jordan Donahue recorded the last hit of the game in the bottom of the eighth to extend his hitting streak to 17 games for the Rainbow Warriors.

Hawai’i coach Rich Hill had nothing but positive things to say about Chaminade (15-29) and head coach Chad Konishi in the program’s first season in over four decades.

“It was great, you have to give credit to Chad Konishi and his staff for really pitching well tonight,” said Hill. “They’re a very well-coached team. Our guys, proud of them, they grinded it out.”

Konishi, who served as an associate head coach for the Rainbow Warriors from 2002 to 2013, was grateful for the experience despite the loss.

“Really nice to be back in the first base dugout, when we were here (the home team) were in the first base dugout, but it’s awesome,” said Konishi.

“I really want to thank coach Hill. I thanked him many times for giving us this opportunity; one, to play them and two, obviously to rent the facility when they’re away on the road. It’s been so helpful for my program, especially for a first year program. We get a chance to play in the best facility in the state so we hope to continue to do that.”

In addition to their strong pitching, the Silverswords had their chances against the Rainbow Warriors. Their best chance at scoring came in the top of the third after Hawai’i intentionally walked Casey Kudell to load the bases as Kudell got the first hit of the game for Chaminade in the first inning. Ultimately, Hawai’i was able to get out of the jam with an inning-ending strikeout from Itsuki Takemoto.

“They did a nice job competing,” said Konishi. “I told my guys, ‘look we had our chances tonight. You guys played well, I’m really proud of the effort, but we had our chances and this is a D1 team that’s in a good conference.’ If we can play like this consistently, I think we would have had a more consistent record, but really proud of just putting a product on the field. Hopefully we can move on in year two and get better and then progress in year three.”

Hawaii is king of the Big West once again

by | Apr 27, 2025

Hawaii is king of the Big West once again BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRNPUBLISHED APRIL 27, 2025MANOA — Championship secured. The Hawai’i men’s volleyball team bested top-seeded Long Beach State in four sets to claim the program’s fourth Big West...

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